Abstract
Of particular concern to child welfare professionals working with youth in foster care is the quality of services rendered to youth in foster care who are imminently making the transition to adulthood and independence, i.e., those at risk for aging out of foster care, many of whom live in congregate care facilities. This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of youth in congregate care in New York City's foster care system, the effectiveness of efforts to prepare youth for life after foster care, and post-discharge outcomes for youth, particularly when discharged to independent living. The study included interviews with professionals as well as young adults who had exited foster care after placements in congregate care settings. Results indicated that professionals and young adults were concerned about the quality of independent living preparation, viewed housing as a serious issue for youth exiting foster care, attributed youth's lack of employment to poor pre-discharge educational and work preparation services, and emphasized the importance of personal connections after youth leave care.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Burley, M., & Halpern, M. (2001). Educational attainment of foster youth: Achievement and graduation outcomes for children in state care. Olympia: Washington State Institute.
Courtney, M. E., Piliavin, I., Grogan-Kaylor, A., & Nesmith, A. (2001). Foster youth transitions to adulthood: A longitudinal view of youth leaving care. Child Welfare, 80, 690–701.
Hair, E. C., Jager, J., & Garrett, S. B. (2002). Helping teens develop healthy social skills and relationships: What the research shows about navigating adolescence. Washington, DC: Child Trends.
Mech, E. V. (1994). Foster youths in transition: Research perspectives on preparation for independent living. Child Welfare, 73, 603-XXX.
National Foster Care Awareness Project. (2000). Frequently asked questions II: About the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and the John H. Chaffee Foster Care Independence Program. Washington, DC: Casey Family Programs.
National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) Research Team (2002). One year in foster care: Draft report. Research Triangle Park and Chapel Hill, NC: RTI International and University of North Carolina, School of Social Work.
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (2002). 2001 monitoring and analysis profiles with selected trend data. Albany, NY: Author.
Special Child Welfare Advisory Panel (2002). Farewell Report. New York: Author.
Texas Foster Care Transitions Project (2001). All grown up, nowhere to go: Texas teens in foster care transition. Austin, TX: Center for Public Policy Priorities.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2003). The AFCARS Report (Preliminary FY 2001 Estimates as of March 2003). Washington, DC: Author.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Alice Rosenwald, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, New York Community Trust, the Ira W. DeCamp Foundation, the Hite Foundation, and the Roche Relief Fund.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Freundlich, M., Avery, R.J. Transitioning from congregate care: Preparation and outcomes. J Child Fam Stud 15, 503–514 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-006-9023-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-006-9023-3